Style for Success Blog

What Would You Wear to an Image Consultants Conference?

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:16 GMT

Talk About Dress for Success Stress

Help! 20 outfits for 4 days

Countdown to my annual AICI image consulting conference. This year it’s being held in a tropical destination, Hawaii…I’ve never been and can’t wait! I always come away from conference with fresh insights, inspiration and new program ideas. Best of all is reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. While I’m excited to be going, if I’m totally honest I’m feeling some anxiety as well… and it has to do with what to pack. I need to follow my own advice.

the most stylish people in the world

While the investment to attend conference is steep (AICI conference registration fees, airfare, 5 star accommodation, extra fees for pre- and post- conference sessions) that doesn’t begin to compare with the dollars that are spent on wardrobe in advance. This conference is being attended by the most stylish people in the world, image consultants, experts who get paid to give fashion advice and tell others what not to wear.

Changing 5 times a day

Some of them will be changing their outfits 5 times a day. You can be sure they’ve been planning their wardrobes for months, probably since they returned from last year’s conference.

Shopping here I come

As I live in a northern Canadian city, dressy summer clothing is a minuscule part of my wardrobe. My Canada summer wear is more on the casual side and leans towards hiking, biking and outdoorsy kinds of activities such as summer festivals and concerts. So I have planned several shopping excursions to make sure I have the right stuff to pack.

Follow the dress code

Thankfully, a memo that went out a few weeks ago from the AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) organizers suggesting the conference dress code. Since “business casual” is the dress code for this Hawaii conference, a formal suit is not necessary. Dresses may be worn instead of a two-piece outfit.

What’s a Muumuu?

Muumuus are also appropriate (Hmmm, I don’t’ own one, must add it to my shopping list once I get to Hawaii). Tropical-print dresses are appropriate. Sleeveless tops or sleeveless dresses are OK (thankfully I bought a couple of sleeveless dresses to wear with a peplum jacket for my recent TV. appearances… they will also work for conference by substituting a shrug for the jacket).

Terry’s been warned

We're staying at the same hotel as the rest of the AICI image consultants so Terry’s image can’t let me down either. (Freudian slip - I mean let him down.) Conference dress for success dress code for men - button-down shirts (usually short-sleeved, but long sleeves are OK, too). Good-quality aloha shirts in muted colors and subtle patterns are popular. (Terry, that means no deafeningly loud Hawaiian shirts, OK.) Khaki pants or dress slacks. Terry may be doing some shopping.

Aloha Wear

For the gala event, “Aloha wear” for both men and women. (I’m not big on prints however I did purchase a sarong wrap dress in a tropical print that is very flattering and plan to wear this for the gala). Terry is still Googling "Aloha wear" advice. At this rate he will still be shopping when we reach Hawaii.

Can you loan me an extra suitcase?

Ok, I'm feeling better now. My conference wardrobe is now hanging in my closet complete with new jewelry, wraps, shoes and handbags. Now that I’ve done the planning, I’m going to relax and enjoy the experience. Just hope everything fits in to my suitcase(s), If not, I’ll just help myself to some of Terry’s space (he wants to travel with just his swim trunks and snorkel gear). Oh well, if by chance I’ve missed something, there is a fashion mall within blocks of our hotel. Aloha!

Posted by Joanne Blake - the corporate image consultant and aloha wear wearer

Image Breakers - Ignore RSVP Etiquette at Your Peril

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:18 GMT

Warning - How you mishandle an RSVP can tarnish your professional image

RSVP etiquette epidemic

Does this drive you crazy? You're trying to organize an event but when you send out the invites with an RSVP request, no one gets back to you. Okay, not no one, it just feels that way, but very few people get back to you.

What's up?

Don't people in business understand what RSVP means? Wikipedia describes an RSVP as an abbreviation for Répondez s'il vous plaît, or please reply (used at the end of invitations to request a response). This really translates to “Please, pretty please with sugar on top, let me know whether you're going to attend or not attend, so I can make some plans.”

So RSVP or else…

Or else what? Or else you will damage your reputation by not responding.

What we think about people who don't RSVP:

They don't value our time
They don't value us
They are inconsiderate
They’re not very reliable
They’re not very professional

How to ruin your image

Wow, this is not the way to build relationships and your professional presence. Plus it makes it difficult to plan properly when people don’t respond in a timely manner, if at all. We’re left wondering if the reason they leave things to the last minute is that they don’t want to miss out on a better offer.

Even more important for volunteer events

It's not just in a corporate or business setting. Professional Image tip - the way we ‘show up’ in our volunteer activities says more about us than any other role we accept. When you respond to my invitations, it means that I matter enough to you to demand some of your attention and that you value my time, it impacts trust.

People notice

BTW if you don't like it when people don't RSVP to you, for the sake of your own image make sure that you RSVP to others. So our image advice is the next time you receive an invitation, even if it’s weeks away, respond immediately yea or nay, it will make you stand out…in the right way.

Posted by Joanne Blake - the Corporate Image Consultant and RSVP etiquette follower (most of the time)

What is the Etiquette for Cutting a Salad?

Tue, 01 May 2012 23:24 GMT

Are you even allowed to cut it?
And if so, how do you cut a salad?

Q.

Dear Dining Etiquette Expert, I have heard that you're not supposed to cut your salad. Is this proper table manners and have you got any tips on how you're supposed to eat it if you can't cut it?
- E. Benes (Big salads are killing me)

A.

This is a common question that I'm asked at most of our business dining seminars. Many people think they're not supposed to cut their salads.

Where did this don't cut your salad idea come from?

The idea that salad should not be cut at the table with a knife probably has origins in the distant past. Old-fashioned knife blades were ordinary steel or iron and they could react with vinegar or citrus juices in a salad dressing. They were also known to discolor or brown the edges of cut lettuce.

Be kind to vegetables month?

For whatever reason many people still think that they're not supposed to cut a salad. What if you get one of those salads that's full of huge pieces of tomato and lettuce? You would swear that some chefs don't want to hurt the vegetables any more than absolutely necessary. What is it, some sort of be kind to vegetables movement? Why else would they serve such honking big pieces of salad on your plate.

You can't just stuff those in your mouth

Newsflash -- Whatever the reason, the concept is wrong. Salad can be cut with a knife and fork or fork alone. Feel free to cut your salad whenever it is necessary i.e. whenever the pieces are too big to politely or comfortably cram into your mouth. (This is a scene from our online Dining For Success video training program, where we show you what not to do as well as what to do.)

So do you use American or Continental style with a salad?

You can use either dining style to eat a salad. Handy tip - you can also use the edge of your fork to cut lettuce as long as you don't saw at it like you're grinding your fork on your plate. Our advice is that the Continental style works better and is more efficient as you can use the knife to fold lettuce around the fork. (If you don't know the difference between American and Continental style check out our online Dining For Success training or read this past blog post with dining etiquette style advice "What Style of Eating Do You Use?" )

Eat your big salad
Your mom was right. Eat your salad. Salad is good for you. Remember Elaine Benes in Seinfeld and her big salads. Click here for the video and a laugh from those salad days of Seinfeld. Hope this dining etiquette advice column helps and keep those questions coming,

Posted by Terry Pthers - the business dining etiquette expert and big salad lover

How to Handle Awkward Situations at Work

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:46 GMT

Does your colleague talk too loudly on the phone?

What do you do if a co-worker smells bad?

Do you say anything? And if so, what?

Image consultants to the rescue

Reporter Joanne Richard recently interviewed myself and two other etiquette and image consultants to give tips and advice on handling social minefields in the workplace or office. This article appeared in Sun Media publications across Canada.

We reveal the proper etiquette of how to politely deal with coworkers who:

Pile on the perfume
Accessorize their teeth with spinach
Eat a stinky lunch at their desk
Use their outdoor voice in the office
Trail toilet paper on their shoe
Gab and gossip
Do annoying other things that bug you

Click here to read the complete Toronto Sun article with our tips and advice to handle these image and etiquette issues smoothly and without damaging your own image or career.
Click here for a PDF of the article.

Posted by Joanne Blake - The Corporate Image Consultant and etiquette minefield navigator

Which Alberta Leader Would be Best CEO Material?

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:03 GMT

Rating the Alberta Leadership Candidates' PR Skills in the Election

Which leader would be a good CEO?

Alison Redford, Raj Sherman, Brian Mason or Danielle Smith?

Joanne and I joined Glori Meldrum on a political image consultants and PR experts panel with host Travis Dhanraj on CBC TV - rating the Leaders PR skills.

Slide to the time line to 2:50 to start our segment

Have your say in Alberta's future. Don't forget to be a voter.

Posted by Terry Pithers - Business Etiquette Expert and sometimes Political Image Consultant

Couples who work together… how do they do it?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:03 GMT

It can be done and it can be fun and profitable.. and your marriage can survive.

We do it

More and more couples are working together or thinking of working together. Joanne and I have been married for more than 20 years (actual number censored by Joanne). We have been working together as a couple in our speaking and image consultants business for more than 10 years.

Me too, me too

You don't know how many times we have heard people say – “I would love to do what the two of you do together. I would love to be able to work together in a business as a couple.” And occasionally we hear someone say “I can't imagine working with my spouse, how do you do it?”

If you've attended one of our co-facilitated seminars you know how different we are personality wise and how much fun we have working together and kibitzing about our differences .

Opposites attract

Joanne is Italian and I'm Irish. Joanne is a very amiable, expressive, relationship oriented person while I am an extremely analytical and somewhat expressive individual. She is from Venus and I am from Mars. But we somehow make it work.

We get to work together, play together and travel together and we plan on doing it for many years to come.

A how to for couples who work together or want to work together

We are teaming with another successful speaking and training couple, Charmaine Hammond and her husband Chris, to offer a workshop in September in Edmonton on successfully working together as a couple. Stay tuned for more details.

If you work together with your spouse/partner or you’ve ever thought about working together as a couple, we’d love to hear from you. Send us your questions, hopes, fears, tips, advice or experiences. We’d also love to have you join us at our workshop.

Posted by Terry Pithers – the Business Etiquette Expert and one half of a happy entrepreneurial couple

The Alberta Leaders Debate - Who had the Winning Image?

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:55 GMT

Election Dress For Success – Who Looks Like a Premier?

This Alberta election is sparking a lot of attention. The National Post interviewed me yesterday (click here to see their photos and commentary) and today CBC asked me to critique the leaders debate as a corporate image consultant.

Here are my answers to Edmonton AM Radio host Lydia Neufeld's questions. (Listen to live interview at the end of this post)

The female Leaders

Q: Joanne, let's start with the leaders of the two front running parties -- Alison Redford of the Conservatives and Danielle Smith of Wildrose. Joanne, what stood out for you in terms of image for those two leaders?

A: Last week when I was here on your show I had suggested that the 2 women leaders meet in the middle. I believe that Danielle Smith did that, in fact she ditched the red jacket and opted for a conventional, skirted suit in a traditional neutral colour palette.

Her jacket was softly tailored and what I mean by that, is it had less structure in the shoulders and was teamed with a feminine, modern blouse. Interestingly she was the only one that wore her jacket open – perhaps subconsciously communicating that she is accessible and approachable.

Now with Alison Redford there were no visual surprises. It was business as usual. She wore her typical tailored pantsuit, collared shirt with her double string of pearls. And for this formal situation it was an interesting choice, I would have recommended a skirted suit.

The Male leaders

Q: What about the two male leaders - Raj Sherman of the Liberals and Brian Mason for the NDP? Give us your assessments of them? How did they score?

A: I think that Brian Mason was weak in his nonverbal communication. He seldom looked at the camera. He looked nervous and his presence was weaker than Raj Sherman’s from my perspective.

Brian looked very corporate in his pinstripe navy suit, pale blue shirt and rep tie. Perhaps trying to put more of a business face to the NDP. I had mentioned previously that his tie knots were too small for his facial structure – I think he took my advice, there was good balance there.

Raj Sherman was very striking in his choice of colour and styling. The high contrast combination of dark suit, white shirt and bright, liberal, red tie framed his face. His choice of jewelry, his earring, pinky ring and string bracelet – for some it might be a bit of a distraction but he’s acquiescing to his younger voters. It’s a new style of politics and he’s the young man that’s going to change things perhaps.

Defining Moments

Q: Any defining moment in terms of the image cues?

A: Danielle Smith having adopting a more staid image may appeal to the undecided voters or an older demographic without alienating her younger supporters.

Alison Redford was unflappable, she was prepared, she was confident and civilized. I thought all the leaders were civilized throughout the entire debate. She demonstrates leadership qualities – her voice tone, her command of the stage and the way she ended the debate was very powerful, I thought.

Loser's Trophy

Q: Anyone deserving of a loser's trophy - who would it go to?

A: Sadly, it would be Brian Mason and not because of his dress because he looked smart. His nonverbal communication was a distraction. As I mentioned previously, he seldom looked his viewers in the eye and we say some pretty negative things about people that don’t meet our gaze, we say they lack confidence, perhaps they’re not telling the truth. It’s all assumptions but sometimes image can be more powerful than reality.

The Times They are a Changing

It's refreshing to see two powerful women as leaders of Alberta political parties. It's also nice to see a male Canadian political party leader like Raj Sherman who is brave enough to show a sense of personal style. We haven't seen much of that since the days of Pierre Trudeau. Wouldn't you say it's shaping up to be a very interesting Alberta election?

Click here to listen to the complete 9 minute interview.

Posted by Joanne Blake - Corporate image Consultant and political observer

Can Your Clothing Choices Help You Win… an Election?

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:27 GMT

Alberta female party leaders illustrate dress for success do's and don'ts

Are their fashion choices subconsciously hurting them in the voters’ eyes?

Recently I was interviewed by CBC radio as a corporate image consultant to critique the image of the two female candidates for the leadership of Alberta.

Similar but different

Alison Redford and Danielle Smith are two women not much different in age or in political leanings but very different in their image. Has either of them got it right? And what can we learn from them?

Consistent but bland?

Alison Redford is consistent in her brand to the point of being bland. We always see her in brownish, severely tailored, ‘mannish’ suits, (so similar some people think she only owns one suit) with pale collared shirts, wearing her signature triple strand of pearls. The pearls soften her look somewhat, but that’s a lot of work for them alone to do.

The Iron lady?

Fiscally conservative is how I would describe Alison's clothing choices and they make her appear inflexible and a little iron lady-ish. Statesman or stateswoman like (or should that be states person like) but no pizzazz to lift her out of the background.

Vote for my outfit

Danielle Smith on the other hand appears to be a bit of a clothes-horse. Her choice of colours is bolder and she favours red, which certainly makes her clothing, if not her, standout.

Youthful premier

Danielle's style is modern and a bit fashion forward, young and feminine. But does she look stateswoman enough for the position of premier of the province?

My advice for Allison

My suggestion is for the two woman leaders to meet in the middle. Alison could use more colour and feminine styling like collarless Chanel suiting or blouses with more colour in the mid tone range (teal blue, terra cotta, jade green) still business like and professional but with a little zing.

My advice for Danielle

With Danielle, we notice her clothing before we notice her. She could continue to select strong colours, however opting for more business like tones, like burgundy over ruby red. This would ensure that her face and not her clothing acts as the focal point. These colors will make her fashion forward styling more easy for the voters to visualize her as premier.

Posted Joanne Blake - Corporate Image Consultant and political dress for success watcher

How to Make Sure People Get Your Name Right When Making Introductions

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:52 GMT

A wicked networking tip that also builds rapport

Here's a neat piece of etiquette advice that ensures people get your name right

A young woman who attended one of our savvy networking seminars told me that her boyfriend always had people getting his name wrong. His name was Matt but people would call him Pat or Mark, either because they misheard him or because they forgot.

But you can call me...

This happened so often that he decided to come up with something to fix it. He started to introduce himself to new people as Matthew but he immediately added the phrase "but you can call me Matt". And it worked!

An unexpected bonus with this advice

Suddenly no one was getting his name wrong anymore. He was also surprised to discover that when he introduced himself this way people seem to warm up to him quicker. It was as though they had moved the relationship to a closer level.

This etiquette and networking tip accomplishes two things:

It helps people get your name right so you don't have to correct them
It subconsciously builds a higher level of rapport since you have given people permission to be more familiar with you

I'm going to try this advice

People often get my name wrong; instead of Terry they usually call me Jerry or Barry. My given name is Terence (but only my mother calls me that). From now on I'm going to give this tip a twirl.

"Hi, my name is Terence but you can call me Terry." Don't you feel closer to me already?

PS - If you've got any of your own name issues, how to tips, advice or workarounds, please share and comment below.

Posted by - the business etiquette expert - Terence Pithers but you can call him Terry

Join Us at the Suit Yourself FUNdraiser

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:02 GMT

Mark your fun calendar for April 20 in Edmonton

Get your fierce and foxy on at Feathers, Fedoras, and Friday Night Blues - a fab evening with fun folks all at the fabulous Bistro La Persaud, recipient of Avenue Magazine’s Honourable Mention Award for Edmonton’s Best New Restaurant!

Have a blast supporting a great cause

This FUNdraising event is in support of Suit Yourself, which helps women overcome barriers to entering or returning to the workforce. For less than the cost of a pair of shoes or a drinks night, you can lend your support to this important cause while enjoying the culinary artistry of renowned Chef Emmanuel David's hors d'oeuvres and getting down to the grooves of Dr. Blu, one of Edmonton’s premiere blues bands.

Team Panache needs your help

Our corporate challenge team Panache, consisting of 10 fabulous women and their friends is rising to the Attire to Inspire fashion challenge, in support of Suit Yourself. Each team is competing to raise the most funds for Suit Yourself. Last year we raised a considerable amount for them at our fashion swap. This year we we want to do even better for this fine charity.

Click here to reserve your tickets to this fun night

... but If you can't attend

Consider making a donation if you can't make it to our party. If you'd like to donate a bit of funds to Suit Yourself on behalf of Team Panache, please do so at http://feathersfedoras.eventbrite.ca/. Every little bit helps this worthy cause.

Bring your boas and beaus

This event is sure to sell out, so get your tickets now! We'll keep you updated on what promises to be a great night of fun, food and fabulous tunes in the heart of Edmonton’s Cité francophone district.

Visit our FFFNB Facebook page